Venus gives credit to Spanish upset winner

Melbourne, Jan 22 (DPA) Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro pulled off a stupendous giant-killing act Thursday with a stunning 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 upset of seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams in the second round of the Australian Open.”She took her opportunities and really showed a lot of character,” said Williams in defeat. “She played some really good tennis. She was super consistent and aggressive and just went for her shots.”

The win, which included a 63-minute final set, marked the biggest career victory for the 20-year-old ranked 46th, whose total career prize money amounts to $348,000.

Multi-millionairess Williams, winner of 39 singles titles and 22 million dollars, served for victory in the third set leading 5-3.

But Suarez Navarro stayed calm in the face of danger, breaking the big-hitting American for 4-5 to continue a comeback from 2-5 down.

The Spaniard broke for a 6-5 lead and held her nerve to produce the win a game later.

The result leaves Williams, 28, with her second-worst showing in Melbourne after losing in the first round in 2006.

“I wasn’t in control of the points, I definitely noticed that she kept getting the first shot,” said the American, “I was definitely playing defence.

“I’m used to dictating the points a little bit more. It was kind of a pattern that wasn’t the best for me.”

Suarez Navarro lost in the qualifying rounds in her first two Melbourne attempts and is playing in only her fourth Grand Slam.

“This is a very big court,” said the stunned youngster. “Today I’m very happy. I don’t know how I won. I only played my game and stayed positive throughout.”